GhanaWeb Feature by Benjamin Sackey
The issue of rape accusations has thwarted the careers of some renowned footballers on the African continent, while a few others have managed to sail through the storm.
Black Stars midfielder Thomas Partey‘s recent rape charges have sparked concern among football fans across the continent about the future of his career.
This GhanaWeb feature sheds light on top African footballers who have been accused of rape during their careers.
Former Arsenal footballer Thomas Partey was charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault on July 5, 2025.
The offences are reported to have taken place between 2021 and 2022, according to the Metropolitan Police.
The charges involve three women: two counts of rape related to one woman, three counts of rape involving a second woman, and one count of sexual assault pertaining to a third woman.
The Ghanaian international has since denied the charges and has welcomed the opportunity to finally clear his name, his lawyer said.
The charges follow an investigation by detectives, which started in February 2022 after police received an initial report of rape.
He is expected to appear in court on August 5, 2025, for the trial to begin.
Kingsley Sarfo
A Swedish court sentenced Kingsley Sarfo to 32 months in prison after the Ghanaian was found guilty of two counts of statutory rape of an under-aged girl on June 8, 2018.
The Malmö District Court stated that the 23-year-old Sarfo, a midfielder with top Swedish club Malmö FF, had sexual intercourse with a 14-year-old girl in an apartment and in a public toilet.
The court also ordered Sarfo to pay 150,000 kronor (approximately $17,260) in compensation to the girl and ruled that he should be deported after serving his sentence, with a 10-year ban from returning to Sweden.
Achraf Hakimi
French prosecutors opened a preliminary investigation into an alleged rape involving Moroccan defender Achraf Hakimi.
A 24-year-old woman accused the Paris Saint-Germain full-back of raping her at his home in the French capital on February 25, 2025, which he denied.
The woman reported the incident at a police station but did not file formal charges.
The public prosecutor’s office handling the case in Nanterre, in the western suburbs of Paris, declined to comment but confirmed that an investigation had begun, according to the BBC.
Frédéric Kanouté
Malian footballer Frédéric Kanouté, who played for clubs like Sevilla and Tottenham Hotspur, found himself embroiled in a rape accusation during the height of his career.
Known for his grace on the pitch and his charitable work off it, the case against Kanouté eventually collapsed due to insufficient evidence.
Witness testimonies and forensic details did not match the complainant’s account, leading the court to drop the charges.
Quinton Fortune
South African footballer Quinton Fortune, best known for his time at Manchester United, faced rape accusations during his tenure in England.
In 2004, a woman accused Fortune of sexual assault after an encounter at a nightclub in London. The footballer vehemently denied the charges, asserting that the encounter was consensual.
The case went to court, but after a lengthy trial, the jury found that there was insufficient evidence to convict him. Fortune was acquitted of all charges.
Yannick Kamanan
Togolese footballer Yannick Kamanan, who played for various European clubs, also faced rape accusations. In 2012, Kamanan was accused of raping a woman in France after a night out.
The player denied the charges from the outset, maintaining that the allegations were false and that no crime had occurred.
After a detailed investigation, the case was dismissed by the French court.
The evidence presented by the accuser was deemed inconsistent and unreliable, leading to Kamanan’s acquittal.
Didier Zokora
Ivorian midfielder Didier Zokora, a key player for clubs like Tottenham Hotspur and Sevilla, was accused of rape in 2011 according to pulsesports.co.kenya.
The incident was alleged to have occurred during his time in Turkey, where Zokora was playing for Trabzonspor.
The accusation came as a shock to his fans and teammates, given Zokora’s reputation for being a disciplined and hardworking footballer.
The case went to trial, but the evidence against Zokora was weak. The alleged victim’s testimony was inconsistent, and crucial forensic evidence failed to link Zokora to the crime. As a result, the charges were dropped.
Ousmane Dabo
Senegalese footballer Ousmane Dabo, known for his stints with clubs like Lazio and Manchester City, was accused of sexual assault in 2007.
The allegations came as a shock to the player, who remained calm throughout the ordeal.
Dabo was accused of raping a woman after an encounter in Italy but maintained his innocence from the beginning.
After a thorough legal process, the charges were dismissed due to lack of evidence.
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